Previous Lobby Exhibit

Treaties

An essential goal of the Legation was recognition of Texas independence by the United States. This depended in part on initial Mexican recognition of that independence in both the public and secret Treaties of Velasco signed by Republic of Texas President David G. Burnet and Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at Velasco on May 14, 1836.

The public treaty called for an end to all hostilities, removal of Mexican troops from Texas, exchange of prisoners, restoration of property confiscated by Mexico, and sending Santa Anna back to Mexico.

The secret treaty was to become effective once provisions of the public treaty had been fulfilled. It included articles that would liberate Santa Anna (if he worked to have the Mexican government recognize Texas independence), establish a treaty of commerce and prevent Santa Anna from taking up arms against Texas.

On May 20, 1836, the Mexican government disavowed all acts carried out by Santa Anna as a captive. Thus the treaties were never enacted and Mexico refused to recognize Texas independence or its boundaries.

In spite of the failure of the Treaties of Velasco, Texas Minister Plenipotentiary William H. Wharton secured U.S. recognition of Texas independence on March 3, 1837. Still at issue was agreement on the boundary between Texas and the U.S., which Wharton’s successor Memucan Hunt successfully negotiated and signed on April 25, 1838.
Mexico finally recognized Texas independence and its boundaries in the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848, which ended the U.S.-Mexican War.